"Breath In-Breath Out"....(Not just the lyrics to a Bush Song)

Pranayama/Breathing Exercise

Hands in Namaste with thumbs pressing gently in and up
into the space between my eyebrows.  You'll feel your
sinuses drain while doing this. 

Complete a 4-count breath sequence (explained at right),
while holding your hands in this position.  Change hands
to be over your heart and press in/up while repeating
the 4-count Pranayama technique. 

Side-bar: if that mop keeps growing...we'll
have full man-bun come summer.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 (Part I), 
Like many, I was initially drawn to the visual side of a yoga practice.

"Who are these yoga-bros", I'd ask, "and how do I become cool like them, and learn how to balance on my head while juggling?".

Like many, being interested in the physical poses/Asanas isn't a bad thing at all; however, there are Eight Limbs of Yoga with the physical poses/Asanas, only being one of those limbs.

You could study each limb of yoga for a lifetime, and only begin to scratch the surface.

My current focus has been on Pranayama/Breath Control (4th limb) and Pratyahara/Focusing Inwardly (5th limb).

My Asana/physical poses do not begin until I have gone through my Pranayama and Pratyahara exercises for the day.  This usually consists of a 4-count breath (4-count inhale/4-count hold of that inhale/4-count exhale/4-count hold of that exhale)...wash...rinse...repeat; at least a sequence of five, or until my breathing starts to regulate, and follow this pattern on its own.

I used to cannon-ball into my poses without any thought or attention paid to any other part of me, other than my physical body.  #badyogi 

As always, I will breathe in, and breath out (and repeat), before beginning to move.

Time to begin....

Salamba Sirsasana/Tripod

An excellent balance pose for a beginner, or
an advanced Yogi. 

Tripod is usually the most stable inversion.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 (Part II), 
Pranayama begins and ends my practice.  For a beginner Yogi, and I will always consider myself, 100% a beginner Yogi, Pranayama helps bring me back down to reality.  It helps me control my disobedient mind that wants to run around thinking about all sorts of nonsense.  Some days are better than others, of course and some days my thoughts cooperate, and sometimes they don't.

Through the exploration of your own breathing, and through daily practice, you may begin to realize that your breathing has an enormous effect on the rest of your body, and your mind.  Your breath is the foundation of control.  Control your breath, and you will learn how to control your mind, and your body. 

Until tomorrow...

Namaste

Salamba Sirsasana/Variation with split.  

Again, this tripod is stable, and the only
variation of an inversion where I'm comfortable
moving into additional variation (like a this split), without
the assistance of a wall. 

You're gonna want to try this at your next party
after you've had that 3rd sangria.